A Toms River father of six is involved in the construction of a special playground that will benefit children with disabilities.
Christian Kane says that his son Gavin was only 19 months old when a truck slammed into the car he was riding in. The crash left him with a traumatic brain injury.
Several years later, Kane is now working to build the Toms River Field of Dreams at Bey Lea Park – a park meant for children like Gavin.
“They know they have a place to go where they can feel typical, where they’re not going to be stared at. They know they can have enjoyment just like everyone else,” Kane says.
Kane is a teacher at Toms River North High School. He says that after caring for his son, he realized the need for such a complex for other families who are dealing with the everyday life of caring for a child with a disability.
“When you’re in it like we are in it, it becomes something that is so important to you that nothing is going to stop you from doing this,” he says.
Building the park became a community event. He says that work crews donated their time and equipment and sponsors jumped on board. But Kane says that he is still about $350,000 short of the $2.2 million needed for the project.
“If you’re in the area you can feel a part of it, no matter what you do. Donate, volunteer – you’ll feel like you’re a part of this project,” he says.
Kane says that he hopes to have the park ready to open by October.
For more information about the project and how to get involved,
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